“It is well said that after passing a commonplace
object a hundred times a day, at nightfall its size
and colour are unknown to one,” replied Pe-lung.
“In this matter, from motives which cannot have
been otherwise than delicate, I took too much for
granted it would seem. . . . Then you—­all—­Shen
Yi, Melodious Vision, the military governor of this
province, even the sublime Emperor—­all—?”

“All tailless,” admitted Chang Tao, with
conscious humility. “Nevertheless there
is a tradition that in distant aeons—­”

“Doubtless on some issue you roused the High
Ones past forgiveness and were thus deprived as the
most signal mark of their displeasure.”

“Doubtless,” assented Chang Tao, with
unquenchable politeness.

“Coming to the correct attitude that you have
maintained throughout, it would appear that during
the silent gong-strokes of the night, by some obscure
and indirect guidance it was revealed to you that Fuh—­that
any Being of my superior race was, on the contrary—­”
The menace of Pe-lung’s challenging eye, though
less direct and assured than formerly, had the manner
of being uncertainly restrained by a single much-frayed
thread, but Chang Tao continued to meet it with respectful
self-possession.

“You have competently performed your part,”
admitted Pe-lung, although an occasional jet of purple
vapour clouded his upper person and the passage of
his breath among his teeth would have been distasteful
to one of sensitive refinement. “Nothing
remains but the fulfilling of my iron word.”

Thereupon he pronounced a mystic sign and revealing
the opening to a cave he presently brought forth six
sets of armoured skin. Binding these upon Chang
Tao’s back, he dismissed him, yet the manner
of his parting was as of one who is doubtful even
to the end.

Thus equipped—­

But who having made a distant journey into Outer Land
speaks lengthily of the level path of his return,
or of the evening glow upon the gilded roof of his
awaiting home? Thus, this limit being reached
in the essential story of Chang Tao, Melodious Vision
and the Dragon, he who relates their commonplace happenings
bows submissively.

Nevertheless it is true that once again in a later
time Chang Tao encountered in the throng one whom
he recognized. Encouraged by the presence of
so many of his kind, he approached the other and saluted
him.

“Greeting, O Pe-lung,” he said, with outward
confidence. “What bends your footsteps
to this busy place of men?”

“Agreeably so,” admitted Chang Tao, and
then, fearing that so far his reply had been inadequate,
he added: “Yet, despite the facts, there
are moments when this person almost doubts if he did
not make a wrong decision in the matter after all.”